Yoga Breathing or Pranayama

Pranayama is traditionally viewed as a practice involving a lot more than just breathing for relaxation.



It is a term having a broad range of meanings and connotations. It also stands for cosmic power, or power of the whole entire universe that reveals itself as a conscious living entity in us through the miracle of breathing.

The sage Patanjali, in Yoga Sutras, defines Pranayama as “regulation of incoming and outgoing breath coupled with retention.

In Sanskrit, the word Pranayama is composed of two parts, viz. Prana and Ayama.



The latter means control; it describes the action of Pranayama. Prana – that most people are unaware of – is vital energy. It is that energy that manifests itself as the self-energizing force embracing one’s body. When this force enfolds the entire body with control, it is called Pranayama.

The goal of Pranayama is not to bring the inhale and exhale into a particular relationship with each other. Nor is it to set up a particular length of breath. The different pranayama practices render lots of sundry possibilities for following the breath, as well. When you follow your breath, your mind is drawn into activities of your breath. Pranayama prepares us, in this manner for the stillness of meditation to come.